Van Gogh's Final Paintings: Suicide Notes or Artistic Evolution?
The final artworks of Vincent van Gogh in Auvers-sur-Oise are often interpreted as foreshadowing his suicide; however, a more nuanced examination suggests otherwise. Following a mental crisis in December 1888, he voluntarily entered a psychiatric facility in May 1889, remaining there until May 1890. Under the care of Paul Gachet in Auvers, he produced twelve paintings of wheatfields, including Wheatfield under Thunderclouds, which he noted on July 10, 1890, conveyed 'sadness, extreme loneliness.' Although Wheatfield with Crows is frequently regarded as his last creation, scholars identify Tree Roots as his ultimate work. Van Gogh took his own life on July 27, 1890, passing away two days later at the age of 37, leaving a profound impact on modern European art.
Key facts
- Vincent van Gogh cut off his ear with a razor in December 1888 after an argument with Paul Gauguin in Arles.
- He admitted himself to a psychiatric hospital in Provence in May 1889 and stayed until May 1890.
- In May 1890, he moved to Auvers-sur-Oise, where he was supervised by Dr. Paul Gachet.
- He painted a series of twelve wheatfield canvases, including Wheatfield under Thunderclouds, in Auvers.
- Wheatfield with Crows, painted in July 1890, is often wrongly considered his last painting; Tree Roots is the actual last work.
- Van Gogh shot himself in the chest on July 27, 1890, and died on July 29 at age 37.
- He sold only one major painting during his lifetime: The Red Vineyard (1888).
- Letters from his final weeks show him optimistic and planning new works, contradicting the idea that his paintings foreshadowed his death.
Entities
Artists
- Vincent van Gogh
- Paul Gauguin
- Paul Gachet
- Marguerite Gachet
- Charles-François Daubigny
- Theo van Gogh
- Jo van Gogh
- Alfred Hitchcock
Institutions
- Van Gogh Museum
- Boussod, Valadon & Cie
- Ateneum
- No Film School
Locations
- Auvers-sur-Oise
- France
- Arles
- Provence
- Paris
- Amsterdam
- Netherlands
- Helsinki
- Finland